Advanced antenna for satellites garners $7.2 million prototype agreement
NewsJuly 22, 2019
WASHINGTON. The U.S. Air Force's Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) has signed a $7.2 million prototype agreement with Lockheed Martin, Ball Aerospace, and Kratos Defense & Security Solutions to develop a multi-band, multi-mission (MBMM) prototype phased array as part of a broader initiative to modernize the existing Air Force Satellite Control Network and bring new technology faster to warfighters.
In contrast to traditional single-contact parabolic satellite dishes, MBMM enables multiple satellites to simultaneously connect with a single-array antenna over multiple frequencies, which enhances performance.
Lockheed Martin is building prototype transmit-and-receive electronically steerable arrays (ESA); in turn, these arrays use Ball’s advanced phased-array technologies and supports L- and S-band frequencies initially. Signal processing is handled by digital intermediate frequency (IF) technology and cloud-enabled quantum radio from Kratos.
According to information from Lockheed Martin, future operational MBMM systems will offer new cyber resilience while reducing long-term sustainment costs for the Air Force and is intended to eventually support multiple orbits (from low-earth orbit to geosynchronous orbit) and can perform multiple missions at the same time, including command & control (C2), launch pad and ascent operations, and radar and mission data transmission.
